An early surprise (of the best kind!)

So, last Tuesday I had a baby!  For months I've been telling people how much I need baby girl to hang on and wait until her due date (March 16th) to be born.  I'm in the middle of a quarter at work and my maternity leave was supposed to officially start on March 5th.  I've been planning for my March baby and then, she decided to be born in February!  Having a baby is a perfect example of how little control we have over things in our life and how God knows what's best for us and will bring everything about in his perfect timing.

For about a week before her birth, the doctor was concerned about baby girl's rate of growth and had scheduled non-stress tests and an appointment with a specialist.  I reconsidered my work schedule and decided to go in only one more time, on February 25th, and finish my class by working with my students online and grading their work at home.  On my way home from my last day in the classroom, I realized I was having contractions (which I've had on and off this pregnancy) that were pretty regular.  I thought I'd lay down, go to sleep and they'd go away.  Instead, the next morning (and about 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital), our daughter was born!  The doctor was right in predicting that she'd be small - at 4 lbs 6 oz, she's little for a 37 week baby but like our other girls, she's strong and healthy.  Had I made it to my appointment with the specialist (scheduled for 24 hours after she was actually born), it's likely they would have induced labor or I would have had a c-section.  Everything worked out and our little miracle was born at the perfect time - even though it's not how I thought or what I had been wanting in terms of my own convenience.

We are so grateful for her safe arrival, her good health, and our family of 5.  We are also grateful for all of you that have been praying for us and all your well wishes.  Allow me to introduce you to our brand new baby daughter!

Minutes old - in Daddy's arms

Alert from the beginning!  She doesn't want to miss out on anything.

Middle looks so grown up now that she's the "big sister"!

For some perspective, this is Mini next to Big's American Girl doll.  And Mini is 2 inches shorter!